Calligraphy Museum

The Beyazid Medresse, which was used as the municipality library since 1945 was evacuated, restored and reorganized as the Turkish Calligraphic Arts Museum. It has interesting and valuable examples of the Turkish art of the pen, Korans, imperial seals, diplomas, Hilye-i serif (descriptions of the Prophet), equipment and apparatus for calligraphic writing, samples of bookbinding, holy relics and miniatures, especially from Ottoman and Seljuk periods.
Open daily between 09:00-16:00 except Sundays and Mondays.

Tel: (212) 527 58 51

Çamlıca Hill

Situated on the Asian side of Istanbul, this 262 m. hill provides a panoramic view of the city and has nice cafeterias to enjoy Turkish tea or coffee. It is also a well known spot for watching migrating birds over the Bosphorus.Camlica hill has the hi

Open every day.

Egyptian Bazaar

Located next to the Yeni Cami (New Mosque), it is the second largest covered market in Istanbul. This famous bazaar with its countless shops selling spices and sweets was always a gathering place for tourists. (We are 400 meters away.)

Eminönü Yeni Cami (New Mosque)

Beautiful 17th century mosque situated in Eminönü district near the Egyptian Spice Bazaar next to the Golden Horn. The doves flocking its compounds in large numbers provide a sight worth seeing. The interior of the mosque have great examples of Ottoman tile work.

Galata Kulesi (Galata Tower)

A 55 meter tower providing a panoramic view of the old town, Galata Kulesi was built by the Genoese as part of the defense wall surrounding their district of Galata directly opposite Byzantium (Constantinopolis). The Genoese used to trade with the Byzantines and the tower was used for the surveillance of the Harbor in the Golden Horn. After the conquest of Constantinople by Mehmet II it served to detect fires in the city. The tower now houses a restaurant and a night club. Today there is an elevator but there are still three more floors to climb by stairs to get on the panoramic terrace. Galata Tower is seen clearly from some of our rooms.

Grand Bazaar

The Grand Bazaar, built in 1461 by order of Sultan Mehmet II, is the largest covered bazaar in Istanbul. Shaped like a huge maze it is spread over more than thirty thousand square meters. Its 60 streets house over 3600 shops selling everything from leather jackets to fine fabrics, jewelry to handicrafts. It is rightfully a tourist magnet and unique to Istanbul. A visit to this City is not complete without it. (We are 1000 meters away.)

Gülhane Park (the old zoo)

This historic park originally served as the grounds of Topkapi Palace from where the Ottoman Empire ruled half the known world for five centuries. Its gardens once awash in a rainbow of roses bloom next to a small forest which provides peaceful walks to this day. In 2003 the park was rebuilt by the Metropolitan Municipality of Istanbul, providing a living monument to a glorious past that paves the way to the City’s exciting future. (This park is located 50 meters from our hotel.)

Haydarpasa Terminal

The constructin of Haydarpasa Terminal, the first stop of Turkish Railway network reaching every direction, started during the reign of Sultan Abdulhamid 2.Built in neo classic style, the construction took two years and was completed in 1908.This station experienced many disasters in its history and is considered as one of the significant symbols of the city.Haydarpasa is only 35 minutes away from our hotel by ferry.

Kariye Museum Church of St. Saviour in Chora

Ancient Byzantine church later converted into a mosque in the 15th century AD. It is now a museum of Byzantine mosaics and frescoes. The typical Ottoman neighborhood with wooden houses is also very interesting to stroll around.Many of our guests that has been in Chora Church compare this amazing monument to Hagia Sophia.Our guest relations will help you to fnd your way to Chora church which is only 20 minutes away.
Open daily between 09:30-16:30 except Wednesdays.

Tel: (212) 631 92 41

Kuzguncuk

Located between Uskudar and Beylerbeyi districts, Kuzguncuk is another town of Istanbul where residents of different religions live together thanks to the nature of the neighbourhood that brings civilizations closer.With its historical buildings lined up, hospitable residents and taste stops, this place is like a bridge between the past and the present.

Maidens Tower

The subject of many legends this fanciful tower is built on a tiny island located off the coast of Salacak where the Bosphorus flows into the Sea of Marmara. The Tower, which takes its name from the tale of a damsel in distress dating from 24 B.C.E, was refurbished in the year 2000 as a restaurant where ancient romantic whisperings still resound amid tinkles of forks and appetising aromas of fine food. Transportation to the island is by small motor-boats that depart from the docks of Salacak, Kabat and Ortaköy.

Military Museum

The museum consists of many interesting military pieces such as uniforms belonging to every period of Ottoman army, various weapons from bow and arrow to triggered guns, seals, armors, tent of the sultan, sultanswords, flags, photos of ministers of defense, Byzantine Cavalry Flag, various warfare pieces used from the Seljuk period to the Republic period, and the chain with which Byzantines closed the Golden Horn before the Conquest. There is also a JanissaryBand show daily between 3-4 pm.
Open daily between 09:00-17:00 except Mondays and Tuesdays.

Tel: (212) 232 16 98

Museum of Turkish & Islamic Art (Ibrahim Pasa Palace)

Fine collection of art and ethnography in the lovely setting of Ibrahim Pasa Palace in the old Hippodrome area. It was built in the 16th century and donated to Grand Vizier Ibrahim Pasha by the great sultan Suleyman the Magnificent. He was the first counselor of the Sultan and married Suleyman? sister as the sultan ascended the throne, thus occupying a very important place in the Ottoman palace hierarchy. After Ibrahim's death the palace was used as a military barracks for new recruits, and made a museum during the Republic. Museum of Turkish Islamic Art is approximately 10 minutes walk from our hotel. It is a great museum with a fine collection of early Turkish and Islamic art.
Open daily between 09:30-17:00 except Mondays.

Tel: (212) 518 18 05 and 06

Palace Cistern (Basilica Cistern or submerged palace)

It is the largest underground cistern in Istanbul and was built in the era of Justinian I to supply water to the palaces that were in the vicinity. (Our Hotel is at a distance of 200 meters from this magnificent artifact.)

 
 

Pera Museum

The museum was opened in July 2005 by the Suna-Inan Kirac Foundation, another project of Koc family. The old building was originally constructed in 1893 by architect Achille Manousos and restored recently for the modern museum. Kutahya tiles, Anatolian weights and measurements, and Oriental portraits painting Collections are the permanent exhibitions in the museum. One of the most famous paintings in the museum is of Osman Hamdi's "The Tortoise Trainer" (Kaplumbaga Terbiyecisi in Turkish). In addition, three art galleries and an auditorium are among the facilities of the museum.
Open daily between 12:00-18:00 except Mondays.

Tel: (212) 334 99 00

Princess Islands in Istanbul

The Princess Islands are a combination of nine islands off the Asian coast of Istanbul, in the Sea of Marmara. Regular or fast passenger ferries operate to the four of these islands from different parts of the city; from Bostanci, Kadikoy and Kartal neighborhoods on the Asian side, from Sirkeci and Kabatas neighborhoods on the European side. Motorists are not permitted on the islands except the ones belonging to the local municipality for public works, therefore you have to walk or rent a bicycle or horse-drawn carriage (fayton in Turkish), even a donkey. Many local people in Istanbul own or rent their summer houses, or just go there at the weekends for swimming in the tiny beaches and for picnicking.
These four islands are called in general as Adalar (Islands) in Turkish and their names are; Büyükada, Heybeliada, Burgazada, and Kinaliada. Sedefada is the fifth inhabited island but it isn't much popular as the other ones, there is a very small settlement on it. Princess Islands are also known as the most romantic gate away from Istanbul.You may take your loved ones and share a horse carriage ride while looking at the beauty of the historical mansions.There are gocvernment ferrys and or we can arrange a private boat tour for our guests wants to enjoy Princess Islands.

Sakirin Cami (Sakirin Mosque)

The most modern sanctuary of Istanbul, Sakirin mosque is located at the entrance of Karacaahmet cemetery in Üsküdar. The most beautiful Turkish Islamic patterns are interpreted in modern perspective in this mosque, which was designed by Husrev Tayla interior design is undertaken by Zaynep Fadillioglu.

Suleymaniye (The magnificent)

This outstanding piece of architecture was built in the 16th century by the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan for Sultan Süleyman the Magnificient. Standing on a hilltop of the ancient city over the Golden Horn, it contributes gracefully to the city's skyline. The tombs of the Sultan, his wife Hürrem and Mimar Sinan are found within its compounds. It is the largest mosque of Istanbul with four minarets.
Important note: The Suleyman's mosque was closed for restorations since 2008, and re-opened in late 2010.

Sultanahmet (The Blue Mosque)

This 17th century mosque, near Haghia Sophia, is famous for the beautiful blue tile work ornamenting its walls. Its surrounding six slim minarets distinguish it from other mosques which normally have two or four minarets. It was built by architect Mehmet Aga by the order of Sultan Ahmed I as a complex in seven years and became the most important mosque of the city, right in Sultanahmet square. Our hotel is located very close to the Blue Mosque.

The Archaeological Museum

This complex was build by the end of 19th century by the architect Vallaury thanks to great efforts of famous Turkish painter Osman Hamdi Bey. It includes the exquisite Tiled Kiosk and the Museum of the Ancient Orient and houses a large collection of artifacts and works of art belonging to ancient Greek, Roman and other Anatolian civilizations dating back to the 6th century BC. The Sarcophagus of Alexander the Great, Sarcophagus of Mourning Ladies, and other ancient sarcophagi and various objects found in the Sidon excavation are among its most interesting pieces.
Ancient Eastern Archeological Museum was designed and open to service in 1917 by Halil Eldem Bey. The collection on displays comprised of about 15000 archeological pieces of Ancient Mesopotamia, Pre-Greek Anatolia, Assyrian, Sumerian, Acadian, Babylonian, Ancient Egyptian and Pre-Islamic Arabic culture.
Open daily between 09:30-16:30 except Mondays.

Tel: (212) 520 77 40 and 41

The Basilica of St. Sophia

The Byzantines built this basilica in the fifth century after Christ and meant it to last forever. They must have done it right because it shimmers in all its former glory to this day. It is considered by many historians as the eighth wonder of the world (It is located 300 meters from our hotel.)
 
 

The Beylerbeyi Palace

Beylerbeyi was initially the residence of the Governor General in charge of Anatolia, but was rebuilt in the style of Dolmabahce and Ciragan palaces as a royal palace in the between 1861-1865 on the Asian side of the Bosphorus and served as the summer residence of the sultans. The palace was ordered by Sultan Abdulaziz to the architects Sarkis Balyan and Agop Balyan in neo-baroque architecture with a traditional Ottoman house plan. Beylerbeyi is built on two main floors and a basement containing kitchens and storage, and was divided into two sections; Selamlik (men's section) and Harem. There are a total of 3 entrances, 6 state rooms and 26 smaller rooms.
The palace is located at Beylerbeyi neighborhood, north of Uskudar district, next to the intercontinental suspension bridge built in 1974. It has great views of the Bosphorus and its European shores, and exquisite grounds with terraced gardens.Our guest relations will help you to arrange a visit to Beylerbeyi Palace.
Open daily between 9:00-5:00 p.m. except Mondays & Thursdays

Tel: (216) 321 93 20
Tel: (212) 522 12 59

The Blue Mosque

An Ottoman masterpiece built in the Seventeenth Century by the architect Mehmet Ağa Sedefkar, it is one of the most famous mosques of the Moslem world. Sunlight that filters into it turns blue as it reflects the colour of the mosaics that cover the walls and gives it its nick-name in English. The Blue Mosque sits across a landscaped garden from Ayia Sophia fusing the two Empires that shaped Istanbul’s eventful history. (It is located 500 meters from our hotel.)

The Dolmabache Palace

Dolmabahçe was built in neo-baroque style between 1843-1856 in the rapidly growing northern section of the city, at the Marmara outlet of the Bosphorus, to replace the Topkapi Palace which was out fashioned. The architect was Karabet Balyan, head architect of Sultan Abdulmecit. It has 3 floors including the basement with a symmetric design, with 285 rooms, 43 halls, 6 Turkish baths. The pier is 600 meters long and the palace has two beautifully decorated monumental gates giving access to its courtyard. The huge ballroom has a 4,5 tons crystal chandelier hanging from its 36 meters high ceiling.
Dolmabahce housed Sultans and their families before the Republic, and it was then used by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk during his visits to Istanbul. Atatürk died here on the 10th of November, 1938. The palace now serves as a museum and a guest-house used for receptions for important foreign statesmen during their official visits. Although Dolmabahce is not located in Sultanahmet area, it is still very easy to reach there from our hotel by taking the tram. After reaching to Kabatas, you will be in the famous ballroom in Dolmabahce in 10 minutes.
Open daily between 9:00-4:00 p.m. except Mondays & Thursdays
Tel: (212) 236 90 00,

Tophane Kasri

The Tophane Pavilion gets its name from Tophane (meaning Cannon factory in Turkish, where there was one) neighborhood. It's located on Necatibey street next to the Nusretiye mosque and was one of the most important buildings on the Tophane Square during the Ottoman period. The kiosk was ordered by Sultan Abdulmecid and built by the British architect William James Smith in 1852. It was especially used for the sultans visiting weapons factories in the neighborhood and to receive foreign visitors coming to the port by the sea, such as the Russian Czar's brother Grand duke Konstantin.
Tophane Kiosk runs parallel to the shore on a rectangle plan sitting on two floors. It has a European style like all other buildings of the same period, with fine hand work ceiling decorations and marble fireplaces. At the moment Tophane Kiosk is closed to visitors and administrated by the Fine Arts faculty of Mimar Sinan University. Nearby this Kiosk, there are Istanbul Modern Arts museum, Tophane fountain, Nusretiye mosque, Kilic Ali Pasha mosque, old Turkish bath, and Cannon factory as sites of interest in this neighborhood. Tophane area now serves as a popular shisha/water pipe cafe and restaurant area. You may reach Tophane in 10 minutes by using the tram in front of our hotel.

Topkapi Palace

Topkapi was the first Ottoman palace to be built (1466-1478) in the newly conquered capital of the Empire by Mehmet II. Located on the spot where the foundations of the city were first laid in ancient times by Megarian Chief Byzas in the 7th century BC, the palace boasts one of the most beautiful views of Istanbul, incorporating the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn, the two shores and the sea of Marmara. Topkapı palace is only 5 minutes away from Romance Hotel by foot. Unlike the European palaces, Topkapi is not a single monumental structure but a more organic complex made up of various kiosks, gardens and areas spread over the tip of the historical peninsula at the entry of the Golden Horn. Topkapi Palace served as the residence of Ottoman sultans for about 400 years, until Abdulmecid built the Dolmabahce Palace. In its hey-days, there were between 8-10 thousand people living in the palace, mostly being the Janissaries.
It was turned into a museum in 1924 and has become one of the most attractive palace-museums in the world. The most attractive exhibition halls of the palace are: treasury, Islamic holly relics, costumes of the sultans, divan, harem, kitchens, Chinese porcelains and several kiosks such as the Baghdad, Revan, Sofa and Mecidiye.
Open daily between 9:00-19:00 p.m. except Tuesdays.
Tel: (212) 512 04 80